Omaha - University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Nancy Belck submitted her resignation to NU President James B. Milliken today, effective immediately. Belck, who came to UNO in 1997, said that recent media scrutiny regarding her travel expenditures, and those of former Vice Chancellor for Administration Jim Buck, diminished her ability to lead the campus and distracted university personnel from the important role of educating students.

"As a metropolitan university, UNO must continue to move forward on development of its Pacific and Center Street campuses, as well as address its immediate needs for additional student housing on the Dodge campus," Belck said. "Unfortunately, because of the environment created by events of the past several weeks, I can no longer provide effective leadership. In the best interest of UNO, I believe removing myself from this controversy is the most appropriate course of action. It has been a privilege to serve as chancellor of this extraordinary institution, and I leave with great regret and also great confidence in its students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters," Belck continued.

Under Belck's leadership, UNO made dramatic strides, including development of the Peter Kiewit Institute, the Pacific Street campus, student residential housing, rising graduation rates and an improved climate of diversity and multiculturalism. At the June meeting of the NU Board of Regents, she unveiled an ambitious plan for developing a variety of facilities on UNO's three campuses, which called for additional housing, as well as academic, athletic, recreation and parking space.